DAAD/ISAP-exchange programme with the Universidad de Costa Rica – Centre for Atlantic and Global Studies

The ISAP exchange programme (International Study and Training Partnerships Programme) of the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) paved the way for the exchange of students and lecturers of the Leibniz University Hannover and the Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) in San José between 2014 and 2020. Stipends, means of transport and personnel costs were paid with the provided grant funds.

Funding: DAAD
Project management: Prof. Dr. Christine Hatzky, History Department

A summary of the ISAP programme can be found here.

A compilation of statements from former participants of this programme can be found here:

Students‘ statements:

“I would recommend this programme because people benefit from looking beyond one's own (German) nose. In our globalised world and for a successful course of study this is absolutely crucial.”

“Besides the fact that I was able to improve my Spanish tremendously, I also learned to hold presentations on an academic level.”

"The introductory programmes were well-rounded and made sure that we connect among each other rather quickly. The university had a nice campus with a botanical garden with butterflies and a sloth."

"I especially enjoyed the fact that I was taken seriously by my fellow students as well as the lecturers at all times. Though my workload was enormous, I can say that in my academic career so far I never learned as much as I did in Costa Rica.”

“I can only recommend this programme. To learn, live and debate Costa Rican History on-site cannot be compared to talk about it in Germany.”

Lecturers‘ statements:

“A very positive result besides the utmost friendly welcome was the great interest in the contents of my seminar topic by both the students and other lecturers.”

“El Programa ISAP-DAAD es un valioso recurso de intercambio entre universidades alemanas y latinoamericanas y sería interesante darle continuidad con otras universidades alemanas, en el caso de la Universidad de Costa Rica.”

“The connections made through the ISAP programme did not only lead to the involvement of the colleagues of the UCR into the EU project ConnecCaribbean but it also did contribute to the BMBF funded Center for Advanced Latin American Studies (CALAS).”

“The exchange enriched me personally and professionally and resulted i.a. in an important journal article with one of the journals published by the UCR. Preparig and discussing a seminar in Spanish was a valuable and educational experience.”

“This exchange let to two invitations to scientific conferences, on the one hand issued to the colleagues at the UCR financed by external funds and to me funded by the DAAD on the other.”